Portable book-holder



( o Model.)

M. J. HOLT.

PORTABLE BOOK HOLDER, &0. No. 346,547. Patented Aug. 3, 1886.

Fig. 1.

a, CI l ,4 I y I H Witnesses N PETERS, Phulo-Lnnngmphunwashm mn, n. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

MARY J. HOLT, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

PORTABLE BOOK-HOLDER, 84.0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,547, dated August3, 1886.

Application filed December 18,1885. Serlal No. 186,034. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARY J. HOLT, a resident of the city and county ofSan Francisco, State of California, have invented a new and usefulPortable Book-Holder and Short-Hand Reporting and Sketching Desk; and Ihereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

My invention relates to a device constituting a book-holder and aconvenient desk or portfolio for short -hand reporting and forsketching.

The following description fully explains the nature of my saidinvention, and the manner in which I proceed to construct, apply, anduse the same, the accompanying. drawings being referred to by figuresand letters.

Figure 1 is a view of the device in position for holding a book, and ofthat side which forms the writing or sketching desk. Fig. 2 is a view ofthe same showing pockets in the under side, one flap of a pocket beingraised. Fig. 3 is a view of the device folded. Fig. 4.. is a view of aside elevation of the bookrest.

Referring to Fig. 1, a a is the inner side of the device, andconstitutes the writing or sketching desk thereof. This frame, which ismade the suitable size, both as to length and width, consists of twoleaves, a a, made of thin pieces of suitable wood, which are joined byhinges e, and fold together when not in use. Below the center of eachleaf, and near the hinges, are holes d, for adjusting the book-rest 0,having pins 0 for-inserting in the holes (I.

For the purpose of making the inner end of the frame or leaves a aconform to the person, it is cut away in the center at f, and awaist-strap, g, is attached to the center of the end of one leaf, and astrap and buckle, h, is attached in a similar position to the otherleaf, whereby the device is secured to the waist.

Attached to the inner end of the right-hand leaf of the frame is ashoulder-strap, 2, which is fastened to a strap and buckle, it, which isattached to the upper outer end of the lefthand leaf of the frame, thesaid strap passing over the left shoulder and under the right,supporting the device.

A handle, 0, for carrying the device, is attached to the center of oneof the edges of the leaves.

Attached to the under side of each leaf a, and forming their outersides, is a pocket, Z, having a cover or flap, m, which is secured to abuckle, a, attached to the face of each pocket, Fig. 2. The object ofthese pockets is to hold suitable writing and sketching material.

When my device is folded, it makes a convenient and light portfolio,which is readily carried in the hand.

As shown in Fig. 8, the leaves a a are folded, and the longshoulder-strap a is passed around them and buckled, and the waiststrap9, under which is secured the book-rest c, is drawn longitudinallyacross the pocket and buckled.

As a book-holder my device promotes ease and comfort in reading,especially to an invalid, or one in a convalescent condition. The readeris not fatigued by holding the book, which may be placed at any desiredangle by adjusting the shoulder-strap, and may sit in an easy-chair,with the weight of the book and holder borne by the shoulders, withoutfatigue or weariness.

For the purpose of reporting by shorthand writing, especially underconditions not favorable for the work, my device will enable the writerto improvise in a moment a convenient desk furnished with materials forwriting; and for the purpose of field-skctching my device constitutesboth portfolio and easel, having the sketching materials at hand, inwhich the paper may be placed at any desired angle, while the hands ofthe sketcher are at full liberty for the execution of the work, duringwhich he may walk, stand, or sit, as fancy or convenience prompts.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In a portable book-holder and reporting and sketching desk, a frameconsisting of two leaves, a a, joined by hinges 0, each said .leafhaving holes (l, in which a book-rest, c, having pins 0', is adjusted,for the purpose'se't the handle 0, the whole substantially as deforth,waist-strap g, and strap and buckle h, scribed, and for the purpose setforth.

for attaching same, shoulder-strap z, and strap MARY J. HOLT. [L s.] andbuckle is, for attaching same for the pur- WVitnesses:

5 pose described, pockets Z, attached to under ALPHONsO B. SMITH,

or outer side of said leaves, each said pocket SADIE E. SMITH,

having a flap, m, secured to a buckle, n, and GRAOIE VENA SMITH.

